Adjustable Telescoping Luggage System

ABSTRACT

An adjustable luggage system comprised of telescoping poles joined by a pair of corner hinge joints and stationary joints and surrounded by a rigid shell, with each side of the shell constructed of four panes with U-channels to maintain alignment of panes and rigidity of the structure. The luggage system may be adjusted in three dimensions, which allows the luggage system to increase up to six times the size of the original capacity. The telescoping poles may be accessed at the external panels of the adjustable luggage system in order to adjust the size in three dimensions. The adjustment or locking mechanism of each pole is located along the telescoping pole. The luggage system opens on one side but is permanently closed on the remaining sides. The entire rigid shell covers the telescoping frame such that by adjusting the telescoping poles and therefore adjusting the rigid shell surrounding the telescoping poles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to travel accessories, and more specifically to a system and method for adjusting the capacity of luggage.

BACKGROUND

Airlines have a maximum size allowance for carry-on luggage. This size may vary, sometimes significantly, between airlines. Any luggage exceeding the maximum size in any dimension may not be carried on and must be checked. Checked luggage results in extra burdens on the traveler such as additional baggage fees and time spent retrieving checked bags. Most travelers require the use of luggage. The climate at the destination, as well as the duration and purpose of the trip determine the quantity and size of items a traveler will require. A traveler on a short trip may require few items that don't fully utilize the capacity of the travelers smallest piece of luggage. If this piece of luggage exceeds the airline's maximum carry-on dimensions, it will be required to be checked, thus incurring a checked luggage fee. Conversely, a traveler on a long trip may require a number of items whose volume exceeds the capacity of the travelers' largest piece of luggage, thus necessitating more than one piece of luggage, and incurring checked luggage fees.

When travelling on more than one airline, where interline baggage forwarding agreements don't exist, or travelling on more than one ticket, a traveler may be required to collect any checked luggage at baggage-claim, re-check luggage with the connecting airline, re-enter the secured area, and proceed to the departure gate. If the luggage were resized to dimensions permitted for carry-on, the travelers could simply carry-on the luggage and proceed to the connecting flight departure gate, avoiding the aforementioned collection, re-checking, and re-entering security. Additionally, a traveler may acquire souvenirs or other items while travelling. These additional items, in addition to the original items, may exceed the capacity of the travelers' luggage, necessitating the purchase of additional luggage, or larger luggage, than initially required. Purchasing luggage while travelling is not only inconvenient but also may offer few choices, depending on the location of the traveler. Unfortunately there are limited options at the airport for the purchase of additional luggage. As with most commodities in the airport, the cost will likely be much higher than the same item purchased elsewhere. Also, a traveler may face difficulties due to the variation of maximum carry-on size allowance between airlines. Oftentimes, the traveler is unaware of the need to cheek luggage until notified by airline personnel that the luggage exceeds the maximum size allowance for carry-on luggage. This notification may not occur until arriving at the gate. Depending on the airlines procedures for checking luggage, a traveler in such a situation may be at risk for missing his or her scheduled flight.

Expandable luggage is currently available to address the need for a hag with the ability to increase capacity. Commonly a zipper or other closing means may be engaged which contains supplemental material to increase the capacity of the bag. Once unzipped, the supplemental material will be released and expanded to increase the height of the luggage thereby slightly increasing the capacity of the luggage. While this method of expansion does increase the luggage capacity, the increase is limited by the amount of supplemental fabric contained beneath the zipper. With expandable luggage for a hard body bag, the sides of the luggage may overlap while compressed and be expanded to increase the capacity of the luggage. However, the increase in capacity is also limited by the extent of overlap between the compartments.

The present system addresses these issues with an adjustable luggage system which may be expanded or contracted in three dimensions such that the luggage size can be increased or decreased significantly. In fact, the volume of the luggage may increase up to approximately six times the original volume since each of three dimensions may increase almost two fold in this embodiment. However, the increased capacity of the present system may be limited by an embodiment with less than the three resizable dimensions. The present telescoping luggage system may also be contracted for times when smaller luggage is desired, thereby remaining within the size restrictions imposed by the airlines. The telescoping poles of the present system may be adjusted by depressing buttons along the telescoping frame. While parallel poles may be adjusted simultaneously to adjust the length of the poles in a single direction, the poles may be adjusted in up to three (3) directions (by height, width, length) to create the maximum possible capacity of the telescoping luggage system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present system and method involves adjustable luggage which can expand in three (3) directions or dimensions. The present invention is comprised of a lockable telescoping frame which can be expanded to approximately six times its retracted volume. In addition, the telescoping thine is covered by rigid panels which overlap as the panels expand and contract to adjust the size of the luggage. The telescoping frame may be locked/unlocked/resized by adjustment mechanisms and locking mechanisms accessible at the exterior of the rigid panels.

The telescoping luggage system is comprised of at least a pair of telescoping poles arranged to form a rectangular structure, joints, release buttons, an opening mechanism, and a hard covering. In this embodiment, there are twelve telescoping poles arranged in such a manner to create a six (6) sided rectangular structure. The telescoping features are located at a point between the corner joints of each telescoping pole. The present six (6) sided telescoping luggage system, includes eight (8) corners when constructed of twelve (12) poles. The corner joints are positioned such that four (4) corner joints are on the lower panel and four (4) corner joints are at the upper panel of the telescoping luggage system. In this embodiment, two (2) corner joints of the upper panel may be corner hinge joints to permit access to the interior of the telescoping luggage system through the top panel. A user may desire to open the telescoping luggage system in order to insert or remove items from the interior cavity as with any traditional luggage system. The remaining two (2) corner joints of the telescoping luggage system, opposite the aforementioned corner hinge joints, are connected at their ends with corner latch joints to allow the side to be secured. While the top panel may include a pair of corner hinge joints and a pair of corner latch joints, the remaining joints of the telescoping luggage system are fixed corner joints.

In this embodiment, the telescoping poles and corner joints are aluminum but may be made of other sturdy materials such as carbon fiber, composite, plastic, and steel. Aluminum has the benefits of strength, low cost, availability, and light weight. The corner joints are connected and secured to the telescoping poles by glue, screws, threaded joints, or any similar method of attachment. The corner hinge joints may have either two stationary or immobile sections and one mobile section or leg, or one stationary and two mobile sections or legs to facilitate the moving panels. When the adjustable luggage system is closed, the legs of the opposing dimension rest in the rotating joint section or receiver for rigidity.

The interior of the telescoping luggage system may be accessed through a variety of hinge and latch combinations. In addition, the adjustable luggage system also contains adjustment mechanisms located along the luggage frame created by telescoping poles and the panels. As the adjustable luggage system is expanded or contracted, the adjustment mechanisms will move further apart or closer together. The interior compartment of the adjustable telescoping luggage system may be accessed with a pair of corner hinge joints and a pair of corner latch joints position at the top panel, in this embodiment. The corner hinge joints are positioned on the closed edge of the top panel while the corner latch joints are positioned at the opened edge of the top panel. The interior cavity of the present invention may also be accessed with closing mechanisms such as lid hinges and lid latches connected to the edges of the exterior panel. The lid hinge may be located along the telescoping pole of a panel while the corresponding part of the lid latch is located on the panel perpendicular to the lid hinge panel such that the adjustable luggage system opens on the side of the lid latch and remains closed on the side with the lid hinge. When lid hinges and lid latches are used to gain, access to the interior of the present invention, the lid latches are also attached to the portion of the telescoping pole near the end and the joint. In order to accommodate the lid latch, the telescoping poles of one dimension cannot fully contract.

In this embodiment, spring button locks are used to adjust the telescoping poles. However, the telescoping poles may utilize collar, cam, snap collar, set knob, teeth-gear, pneumatic, or hydraulic locks and serve a similar purpose as the preferred spring button locks or aluminum clutch lock. In the aluminum clutch lock style, a split plastic sleeve tightens on the inside pole when the clutch is turned. Typically, the telescoping poles will be accessed from the exterior of the luggage for adjustment purposes. In the case of the spring button adjustment mechanism, there is an actuating arm inside each segment of telescoping pole. When the spring button is depressed, two corresponding buttons will be pushed and allow the telescoping pole to expand or retract. In order to adjust the frame, parallel telescoping poles mast be adjusted simultaneously.

The adjustable luggage system includes at least six panels or sides created by telescoping poles at the exterior border of each panel. In addition, each panel or side is constructed of four (4) frames. When the adjustable luggage system is in a fully compressed position, each frame of a panel is almost completely overlapping the other frames such that the four corners of each frame are stacked upon the corresponding corners of the overlapping panes. At a midpoint of expansion, about half of each frame of a panel is expanded while the other half is contracted and overlapping the surrounding panes. In a fully expanded position, at least two (2) sides of each sheet are connected and slightly overlapping. The four frames of each panel are attached at their interior corners and glide in a U-channel to further maintain alignment of the connected frames and rigidity of the entire structure. The U-channel is located at the two interior edges of each of the four frames comprising a panel to facilitate gliding of the individual frames during expansion and contraction of the adjustable luggage system. At a point of overlap for each U-channel, the edge of the frame on the underside of the connection point is hooked under the curved edge of the frame on the upper side of the connection point. As the frames are contracted and expanded, the edges of the frames glide against each other. In this embodiment, the exterior surface is a rigid plastic but can be a variety of hard, sturdy materials such as plastic or nylon.

In this embodiment, there are at least two side panels and a front, back, top and bottom panel. The front and back panels, the top and bottom panels, and the dual side panels are parallel to each other, and separated by a group of telescoping poles. In order to adjust the front and back panels, the telescoping poles at either the sides or the top and bottom panels may be altered. In order to adjust the top and bottom panels, the telescoping poles at either the sides or front and back panels may be altered. In order to adjust the dual side panels, the telescoping poles at either the front and back or the top and bottom may be altered. At a point between the ends of each telescoping pole, an adjustment mechanism is located which controls the telescoping features of the telescoping pole. Before any adjustment, the adjustment mechanism of the telescoping poles lying along the plane of intended adjustment must be released. Two sides of any dimension must be adjusted at the same time to keep the size of the adjustable luggage system consistent and prevent any lopsided conditions of the adjustable luggage system. Should the user attempt to adjust a single edge of the frame, the frame will resist such movement. Due to the connected nature of the frame, expanding or contracting one edge (length for instance) will also expand or contract corresponding poles also spanning the length of the frame.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable capacity luggage system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable luggage system that increases and decreases in three dimensions, potentially increasing six-fold in volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable luggage system with an interior telescoping frame that functions to adjust the size of the luggage in three dimensions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable baggage system which can be adjusted throughout the trip to accommodate any changes in the amount of belongings transported by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the contracted adjustable luggage system

Ref. 1 is the front panel;

Ref 2 is the top panel;

Ref. 3 is first side panel;

Ref 4 is a lid latch of the closing mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view the partially expanded adjustable luggage system;

Ref. 1 is the front panel;

Ref. 2 is the top panel;

Ref 3 is first side panel;

Ref 4 is a lid latch of the closing mechanism;

Ref. 6 is four frames of the front panel;

Ref. 7 is four frames of the top panel;

Ref. 8 is four frames of the first side panel;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view the fully expanded adjustable luggage system;

Ref. 1 is the front panel;

Ref. 2 is the top panel;

Ref 3 is first side panel;

Ref 4 is a lid latch of the closing mechanism;

Ref 6 is four frames of the front panel;

Ref. 7 is four frames of the top panel;

Ref. 8 is four frames of the first side panel;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view a contracted telescoping frame with panels removed;

Ref 5 is a corner fixed joint;

Ref 9 is a telescoping pole;

Ref 10 is a corner hinge joint;

Ref. 11 is an adjustment mechanism;

Ref. 12 is a corner latch joint;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view an expanded telescoping frame with panels removed;

Ref 5 is a corner fixed joint;

Ref. 9 is a telescoping pole;

Ref 10 is a corner hinge joint;

Ref 11 is an adjustment mechanism;

Ref. 12 is a corner latch joint;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective views of a corner hinge joint;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a corner hinge joint;

FIG. 6B is a top view of a corner hinge joint with mobile leg;

FIG. 6C is a side view of a corner hinge joint;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

While the above description is of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that the invention may be modified, altered, or varied without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the following claims.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-6, the present luggage system expands and contracts in three dimensions to accommodate varied luggage size requirements between airlines and changing packing needs of the traveler. The present system is comprised of a telescoping frame covered by a series of panels which glide in U-channels as the size of the luggage system is adjusted. The luggage system also includes adjustment mechanisms and closing mechanisms to accommodate the needs of the traveler.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the contracted telescoping luggage system. In this view a single entire front panel 1 is visible while the other front panels are partially visible. A single entire top panel 2 is visible while the remaining top panels are partially visible. A single first side panel 3 is visible while portions of the remaining first side panels are visible. A second side panel, parallel to the first side panel, is not visible in this visible. A section of the lid closing mechanism, or lid latch 4, is located at a point between the top and front panels. When the lid latches 4 are unlocked, the interior of the luggage system will be accessible by opening the top panel 2 section of the luggage system. Lid hinges 5 are located of the opposite of the top panel from the lid latches.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the partially expanded telescoping luggage system. As the front panel 1 expands, a greater portion of the four front frames 6 are exposed. As the top panel 2 expands, a greater portion of the four top frames 7 are exposed. As the first side panel 3 expands, a greater portion of the four first side frames 8 are exposed. A pair of lid latches 4 is positioned between the front and top panels. The lid latches are locking mechanisms to keep the luggage system closed and its contents secure. Lid hinges are located of the opposite of the top panel from the lid latches.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fully expanded telescoping luggage system. In a fully expanded state, the luggage system is approximately six times the volume of the fully contracted luggage system. In a fully expanded position of the front panel 1, all four front frames 6 are visible. In a fully expanded position of the top panel 2, all four top frames 7 are visible. In a fully expanded position of the first side panel 3, all four first side frames 8 are visible. In addition, all four second side frames, back frames and bottom frames are also exposed although not portrayed in this figure. As the luggage expands, the position of the lid latches 4 and lid hinges 5 changes in proportion to the expansion of the luggage system. In addition, as the telescoping frame is expanded or contracted, the corresponding frames outside said telescoping frame also expand or contract. Alternatively, corner hinge joints and corner latch joints may be used as a closing mechanism for the present luggage system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the contracted telescoping frame unobstructed by the front, back, top, bottom or side panel and frames. As the lid opens, the distance between the edge of the top panel 2 and the edge of the front panel 1 will widen to accommodate a user adding or removing items from the luggage system. In this embodiment, there are four fixed corner joints 5, a pair of corner hinge joints 10 and a pair of corner latch joints 12. An adjustment mechanism 11, a clutch lock in this embodiment, is located along each telescoping pole 9 of the telescoping luggage system. The adjustment mechanism 11 may be expanded or contracted on parallel poles in order to expand or contract the size of the luggage system. Once the desired size has been achieved, the adjustment mechanism 11 may be placed in a locked position again. Corner hinge joints 10 are located in the corner sections of the telescoping frame where three telescoping poles 9 meet. The corner hinge joints 10 may have either two stationary and one mobile, or one stationary and two mobile sections or legs. The corner hinge joints 10 also facilitate the opening of the top panel 2 or lid of the telescoping luggage system. In addition, the corner hinge joints 10 may also facilitate the expansion or contraction of the luggage system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the contracted telescoping frame unobstructed by the front, back, top, bottom or side panel and frames. As the lid opens, the distance between the edge of the top panel 2 and the edge of the front panel 1 will widen. In this embodiment, there are four fixed corner joints 5, a pair of corner hinge joints 10 and a pair of corner latch joints 12. An adjustment mechanism 11 is located along each telescoping pole 9 of the telescoping luggage system. The adjustment mechanism 11 may be expanded or contracted on parallel poles in order to expand or contract the size of the luggage system. Once the desired size has been achieved, the adjustment mechanism 11 may be placed in a locked position again. Corner hinge joints 10 are located in the corner sections of the telescoping frame where three telescoping poles 9 meet. The corner hinge joints 10 may have either two stationary and one mobile, or one stationary and two mobile sections or legs. The corner hinge joints 10 also facilitate the opening of the top panel 2 or lid of the telescoping luggage system. In addition, the corner hinge joints 10 may also facilitate the expansion or contraction of the luggage system.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show different views of the corner hinge joint. FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a corner hinge joint with two legs in a 90 degree position. FIG. 6B is a top view of a corner hinge joint with mobile leg in various positions. FIG. 6C is a side view of a corner hinge joint with two legs in a 180 degree position. As shown, the corner joints may be stationary or mobile depending on their position within the telescoping luggage system. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An adjustable luggage system, comprising: six sides, each side comprising a plurality of at least partially overlapping panes, wherein the panes are hard; and a support frame comprised of telescoping members, wherein the support frame is disposed within an interior defined by the six sides, wherein the adjustable luggage system is expandable and contractible in at least two dimensions by adjusting at least a portion of the support frame.
 13. The adjustable luggage system of claim 12, wherein the support frame comprises eight telescoping members.
 14. The adjustable luggage system of claim 13, wherein the adjustable luggage system is expandable in a first dimension by extending a first set of four of the telescoping members and is contractible in the first dimension by retracting the first set of four of the telescoping members.
 15. The adjustable luggage system of claim 14, wherein the adjustable luggage system is expandable in a second dimension by extending a second set of four of the telescoping members and is contractible in the second dimension by retracting the second set of four of the telescoping members, wherein the telescoping members in the first set of telescoping members are different from the telescoping members in the second set of telescoping members.
 16. The adjustable luggage system of claim 12, wherein the support frame comprises twelve telescoping members and the adjustable luggage system is expandable and contractible in any one of three dimensions, in any two of three dimensions, and in three dimensions.
 17. The adjustable luggage system of claim 12, wherein the panes are comprised of aluminum, carbon fiber, composite, plastic, or steel.
 18. The adjustable luggage system of claim 12, wherein the panes of each side are attached at their interior edges via a glide channel.
 19. An adjustable luggage system, comprising: a hard covering; and a support frame comprised of members that are expandable and contractible, wherein the support frame is disposed within the hard covering, and wherein the adjustable luggage system is expandable and contractible in three dimensions by adjusting the members of the support frame.
 20. The adjustable luggage system of claim 19, wherein the adjustable luggage system in a fully expanded configuration has about six times the volume that the adjustable luggage system has in a fully contracted configuration.
 21. The adjustable luggage system of claim 19, wherein the members of the support frame each comprise a locking mechanism to maintain the length of the member of the support frame.
 22. The adjustable luggage system of claim 21, wherein the locking mechanism is one of a spring button lock, a set knob lock, a collar lock, a clutch lock, a cam, a pneumatic lock, a hydraulic lock, and a teeth-gear lock.
 23. The adjustable luggage system of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the hard covering is coupled to the support frame by hinges.
 24. The adjustable luggage system of claim 19, wherein the hard covering comprises a plurality of sides and each side comprises a plurality of at least partially overlapping hard panes.
 25. The adjustable luggage system of claim 24, wherein one of the sides is a lid that is coupled the support frame by hinges and comprises at least one lid latch coupled to an edge of the lid.
 26. An adjustable luggage system, comprising: six sides, each side comprising four at least partially overlapping panes; and a support frame disposed within an interior defined by the six sides, wherein the adjustable luggage system is expandable and contractible by adjusting at least a portion of the support frame.
 27. The adjustable luggage system of claim 26, wherein the panes comprise a sturdy material.
 28. The adjustable luggage system of claim 26, wherein the panes comprise plastic.
 29. The adjustable luggage system of claim 26, wherein the panes comprise nylon.
 30. The adjustable luggage system of claim 26, wherein the support frame comprises twelve telescoping members.
 31. The adjustable luggage system of claim 30, wherein the support frame further comprises four corner joints, each corner joint coupled to three of the telescoping members. 